Have you ever looked at successful people and thought, They’re just lucky? Maybe they were in the right place at the right time. Maybe they had connections. Maybe they got a lucky break.
I used to think that way too—until I realized something life-changing: luck isn’t something that happens to you. It’s something you create.
For years, I waited. I worked hard, did everything I was “supposed” to do, and hoped the right opportunity would just land in my lap. But it never did. And the harder I worked without real results, the more frustrated I became.
Then one day, I had a moment of clarity: success isn’t about waiting. It’s about creating. The most successful people don’t sit around waiting for the perfect moment—they make the moment perfect by taking action, even when they don’t feel ready.
The Moment Everything Changed
There was a point in my career when I felt completely stuck. I was doing well on paper, but inside, I knew I wasn’t where I truly wanted to be. I wanted more freedom, more impact, more joy—but I didn’t know how to get there.
Then, I asked myself a powerful question: What if I stopped waiting for the right opportunity and started creating it?
So, I did. And here’s what I learned about making your own luck:
1. Reframe Your Mindset: Luck is an Inside Job
The first step in creating your own luck is to stop thinking of luck as something external. It’s not about chance—it’s about mindset.
In The Joy Guide: Finding Your Joy In A World of Crap, I talk about how limiting beliefs keep us stuck. We tell ourselves stories like:
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I’m not ready yet.
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I don’t have the right connections.
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Other people are just luckier than me.
But here’s the truth: you are as ready as you decide to be. The only thing standing between you and your next big opportunity is the story you’re telling yourself.
2. Say Yes Before You Feel Ready
One of the biggest myths about success is that people achieve it because they were fully prepared. The truth? Nobody ever feels 100% ready.
Some of the best opportunities in my life came from saying “yes” before I felt qualified. Speaking engagements, leadership roles, starting my own business—each one felt scary at first. But I said yes anyway, and I figured it out along the way.
When an opportunity presents itself, don’t let self-doubt talk you out of it. If it aligns with your goals, take the leap. You can learn as you go.
3. Create Your Own Opportunities
Instead of waiting for opportunities, start actively creating them. Here’s how:
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Put yourself in the right rooms. Network with people who inspire you, join groups that challenge you, and seek out mentors who have been where you want to go.
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Share your expertise. Write articles, post on LinkedIn, speak at events—let people know what you do and what you stand for.
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Ask for what you want. Too often, we assume people will just notice our hard work. But sometimes, you have to ask for the promotion, the partnership, or the opportunity you want.
